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4.93 from 136 votes

Ridiculously Easy Farmhouse Buttermilk Cake

Everyone flips over this moist, delicious buttermilk cake and, after the first bite, they beg for the recipe. No one believes how EASY it is!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: buttermilk cake
Servings: 12
Calories: 289kcal
Author: Chris Scheuer

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • ¼ cup butter very soft
  • 1 cup light brown sugar firmly packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

For the topping:

  • 3 tablespoons melted butter
  • ½ cup light brown sugar firmly packed
  • 2 tablespoons half and half
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup diced pecans
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

For the cake:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9" round cake pan (with at least 2-inch tall sides) with baking spray and line with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Combine the butter and brown sugar and stir until well combined (the mixture will not be fluffy at this point).
  • Add the egg, stirring until nice and smooth.
  • Stir in the buttermilk and vanilla extract until well combined.
  • Sprinkle the flour, baking soda and salt evenly over the top and stir until well combined.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  • Bake the cake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and/or the cake springs back when lightly touched in the center.

For the topping:

  • During the last 10 minutes of baking time, prepare the topping. Stir the butter and the sugar together. Add the milk, pecans, and salt. The glaze will be thick, but pourable.
  • After the cake has baked for 30 minutes, pour the topping over the cake and return it to the oven for another 10 minutes (for a total baking time of 40 minutes). Remove cake from the oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes in the pan. Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt, if desired and serve warm or at room temperature. Topping will firm up as the cake cools.
  • Cake can be served in the pan or on a serving platter or cake stand. To serve on a platter, invert cake onto a dinner-size plate then invert again so that topping is up.

Notes

Adapted from King Arthur Flour.
 
See Café Tips above for further instructions and tips.

Nutrition

Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 306mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 265IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 1.2mg